I want to share with you the themes I’ve been exploring for my fantasy series, Sacred Wolves. This project is still in the building phase, so at this point I’m playing with themes, and once I get the first book drafted, I’m going to assess which themes are shining the brightest. Then I’ll go from there.
So, let me talk through a few of my theme front-runners, and I’d love your input on them! As I write the books, I’m sure these themes will morph, and how I show them will be different than what I’m thinking now, but here’s what I’ve got so far.
But first, where do my themes come from?
While the genre of fiction I write includes situations and talents little to do with my personal life—I’ve never been involved in espionage, lived in a fantasy world, been a politician, or wielded a sword—the themes in my novels are inspired by my life experiences. This is how I live out the classic “write what you know” advice.
Whatever fantasy world my characters live in or impressive skill they are showcasing, it is in their habitual thoughts, doubts, fears, and struggles where the “what I know” shines through. It is there my themes develop and grow.
Theme 1: Negative internal thoughts…and what to do with them
The fantasy genre often explores big external conflicts with high stakes, but my favorite fantasy stories are when those are paired with internal and interpersonal conflicts. When a character not only has to battle physical enemies, but negative internal thoughts, that’s when I’m hooked.
The exact thoughts I’ll be working with in the narrative is still to be decided, but I’m pretty sure there will be habitual negative thought patterns concerning leadership, skill, worry, and assumptions about others.
The General Takeaway I Hope for Readers:
My hope for this story is that it will serve as a safe space for readers to acknowledge and process the negative internal thoughts that may be wreaking havoc on their mental health. I know how tormenting these types of thoughts have been for me, and I want to share my experience through this theme in hopes it may bring comfort and a path to healing to another.
Theme 2: Romantic love
This is going to be the first overt love story I’ve included in a book, so I’m both excited and a little nervous! Two of my main characters are going to be exploring unconditional love and how to navigate a relationship when feelings are left unspoken, decisions aren’t always made together, and distance is sometimes long.
I want to showcase a realistic romantic relationship. One that blends the romantic aspects with the practical, self-sacrificial aspects of this type of intimate relationship. I want to explore the question of “when you have been hurt by a decision your significant other has made, what should you do next? How will the anger and hurt be processed and lived out?”
The General Takeaway I Hope for Readers:
My hope is that readers will not compare their real-life relationship with a fictionalized or sugarcoated relationship. I hope to write my love story in a way that encourages goodness, grace, and communication, not comparison or entitlement. There are WAY too many unhealthy relationships framed as “epic” in fiction. I want to showcase the epic nature of how two imperfect, messed-up people, can work to love unconditionally.
Theme 3: Leadership/Willingly taking on a responsibility
I’m most comfortable when I’m not seen or noticed. I’m curious to explore what happens when a person, like myself in that respect, decides to take on a responsibility greater than themselves—one that would be easier to walk away from. This could end up being a self-exploration: in that position, would I step up? I would want to be the person who would, but in reality, would I? I think this is a loaded topic for our day, when moving away from feeling responsible for things is prominent on social media.
The General Takeaway I Hope for Readers:
I hope readers will ask themselves the same questions that I will be asking myself as I write this story: Would I willingly volunteer a chunk of my life to a cause that doesn’t make my life easier or take me where I want to go? When a need arises, am I the type of person to fill that need, or only look out for myself? Why? I’m curious about where this theme will lead!
I’d love your input!
Which of these themes resonates with you most—and why?
I’d love to hear your thoughts as I shape the story. Or if there’s another theme you’d love to see explored in fantasy, drop it in the comments—I’m always listening!
You can always keep updated on the Sacred Wolves project on my book page here.
Like thrillers? You’ll love The New Dawn! Check out my thriller’s book page here.
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S.J. Siedenburg is a thriller & fantasy novelist, an editor, and a bibliophile with a passion for stories and helping writers finish their novels. She’s the author of the guidebooks Character Presentation, Before the First Draft, and the How to Write a Novel online course. Six of her short stories have been published through writing contests. Sarah lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” —John 1:5